THROUGHOUT almost 12 months of meetings between Sinn Fein and British officials in Belfast there was a silent witness. In press photographs he could sometimes be seen standing at the back of the Sinn Fein delegation, although his name rarely appeared in print. The Belfast man never commented on negotiations and was simply described by Sinn Fein officials as an observer.
For most of those involved in the peace process there was little doubt that the IRA was closely watching proceedings.
Both the British and Irish Governments knew that the paramilitary organisation would have to be privy to negotiations in order to maintain its support for the peace process.
When London's Canary Wharf bomb exploded less than a fortnight ago, killing two people and seriously injuring dozens more, politicians and the public desperately sought an explanation for the IRA's unexpected attack.
Although Sinn Fein had made numerous public warnings since the end of last year, most had ignored them as the scaremongering tactics expected of the IRA's political wing.
The discovery of another bomb in London's West End and the bus explosion last Sunday have confirmed that a new and bloodier IRA campaign has begun.